Marape enroute to attend 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting

Prime Minister James Marape is travelling to Tonga to attend the weeklong 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting scheduled from August 26-30.

On his way to Tonga, Prime Minister Marape will make a brief stopover in Niue to fulfill a longstanding GoPNG's commitment of K5 million made in 2014.

“This commitment of 2014 has not been fulfilled; hence, I will be traveling there to fulfill it,” Prime
Minister Marape said.

The Prime Minister emphasised the significance of the PIF as an important annual gathering of
Pacific leaders.

“We will discuss issues of shared interest, including trade, geopolitics, climate change, recovery
from the economic shocks of COVID-19, and various others.

“I look forward to the Tonga PIF in Nuku'alofa and will be back in the country by Thursday, August
29, 2024.”

Prime Minister Marape also addressed the concerns of the people of PNG, assuring them that the Government is aware of the current challenges facing individual families and is doing everything possible to provide assistance through the 2024 Budget, including the payment of school fees and other support measures.

“I assure our people that this assistance will continue into 2025. Your government is working very hard to address all these issues,” he said.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the impact of the events of January 10, 2024, on the economy
and urged the people to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

“Our people must understand that money generated into the economy comes from business
houses, who in turn, must be respected.

“Let’s all work together to keep Port Moresby and Papua New Guinea safe,"
Marape added.